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Bank Top Brewery Tap, Bolton

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Opens at 12:00pm
68-70 Belmont Road, Astley Bridge, Bolton, BL1 7AN (View on Google Map)
(01204) 302837
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This is the original tap house for the multi-award winning Bank Top Brewery, which is based less than a mile away. It is a popular and busy two-roomed street-corner local with a large outdoor drinking area and covered smoking shelter. The atmosphere is one of a traditional community pub with conversation to the fore and distractions limited to quiet background music and a dartboard and small, often silent TV in the bar. The pub is a showcase for locally-brewed cask beer promoted by knowledgeable bar staff and has deservedly won numerous CAMRA awards. There are nine handpumps supplying ales mostly from Bank Top Brewery, with Flat Cap, Pavilion Pale and Dark Mild normally available alongside a changing range from the brewery stable. A guest beer from another brewery is available at all times on one of the pumps. There are usually up to 6 bag-in-box and bottled ciders available of which sometimes one will meet Camra's criteria for being real, to check that these are real consult the list via the link below.
Camra Real Ciders and Perries : Real Cider and Perry List

Historic Interest

In 1982 this was a Whitbread pub called the Carters Arms selling Castle Eden Ale (H). Many years ago when the pub was named The Carters Arms, it was known colloquially as 'The Vatican' as the congregation from the nearby Catholic Church would decamp here on a Sunday lunchtime following 11.00 o'clock Mass.

Information for this venue is provided by the Bolton Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Carters Arms
Local Authority
Bolton District (B)
Last updated
29/07/2025
Last surveyed
12/02/2025
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
BTB Tap Ltd
Pub ID
BOL/004
Asset of Community Value
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Monday
Noon - 11:00pm
Tuesday
Noon - 11:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 11:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 11:00pm
Friday
Noon - 11:30pm
Saturday
Noon - 11:30pm
Sunday
Noon - 11:00pm
TasteMatch

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Current beers

This Pub serves 5 changing beers and 4 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

Bank Top - Bad to the Bone TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Bank Top - Bad to the Bone
Bank Top - Bad to the Bone Session Bitter • 4% Spotted 3 times.
Bank Top - Bad to the Bone
Bank Top - Bad to the Bone

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 3 times. at Bank Top Brewery Tap, Bolton.

ABV 4%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Bank Top - Dark Mild TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Bank Top - Dark Mild
Bank Top - Dark Mild Mild • 4% Spotted 11 times. GBBF Silver Award Mild 2023
Bank Top - Dark Mild
Bank Top - Dark Mild

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 11 times. at Bank Top Brewery Tap, Bolton.

GBBF Silver Award Mild 2023

ABV 4%
Dispense Handpump
Style Mild
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Bank Top - Flat Cap TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Bank Top - Flat Cap
Bank Top - Flat Cap Session Pale Ale • 4% Spotted twice.
Bank Top - Flat Cap
Bank Top - Flat Cap

This beer is served regularly and Spotted twice. at Bank Top Brewery Tap, Bolton.

ABV 4%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Pale Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Bank Top - Pavilion Pale Ale TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Bank Top - Pavilion Pale Ale
Bank Top - Pavilion Pale Ale Premium Pale Ale • 4.5% Spotted 14 times.
Bank Top - Pavilion Pale Ale
Bank Top - Pavilion Pale Ale

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 14 times. at Bank Top Brewery Tap, Bolton.

ABV 4.5%
Dispense Handpump
Style Premium Pale Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No
Changing

Includes one guest not from Bank Top Range

Changing beers typically include: Bank Top (seasonal) , Bank Top (varies)

Source: Local

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award cup

Champion Beer Of Britain Award

The Champion Beer of Britain is one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the world. It is the ultimate honour for UK brewers and has helped put many into the national spotlight.

Nominations are now Open

Join CAMRA to choose Britain’s Champion Beer!

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Judging for the competition takes around a year, starting with individual nominations from CAMRA members and tasting panel nominations, leading to a series of rigorous regional heats adhering to a strict blind tasting policy.

Facilities
Garden Garden
Large Patio area at rear with tables
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Until 7pm
Disabled Access Disabled Access
Including Toilets
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Tap Room and Patio area only
Function Room Function Room
Games Games
Darts in the tap room
Smoking Smoking
Shelter on the patio
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
LocAle LocAle
Cask Marque Cask Marque
Cask Marque Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating
Cask Marque: Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating 4 out of 5
Transport
Close to bus routes (50m)
1 (Bolton Interchange to Blackburn via Astley Bridge and Darwen), 534 (Bolton Interchange to Oldhams Estate via Astley Bridge), 535 (Bolton Interchange to Belmont), 537 (Bolton Interchange to Eagley)
Closest station (1550m)
Hall-i'-th'-Wood

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